TENS machines have no known harmful effects on your baby. A gentle electrical current is passed through four flat pads stuck to your back. This creates a tingling feeling. You can control the strength of the current yourself. It is sometimes helpful at the beginning of labour, particularly for backache. If you hire a TENS machine, you can start to use it at home. Some hospitals will also lend you one.
While some individuals manage their labour with only the help of TENS, it is common to need some other pain relief later on in labour.
